Antonio Conte hails "fantastic" Diego Costa

Chelsea manager Antonio Conte has heaped praise on Diego Costa after the striker scored the only goal of the game in his side's win over Middlesbrough this afternoon.

Costa was a doubt heading into the match having withdrawn from the Spain squad due to a groin problem, but that didn't prevent him from netting his 10th goal of the season to make it six wins in a row without conceding for Chelsea.

The striker is the first player to reach 10 Premier League goals this term, and Conte talked up the importance of the Brazilian-born Spain international.

"Diego is playing good football, with and without the ball. And Pedro and Eden [Hazard], they are very important for our balance. They are working very hard for the team," he told Sky Sports News.

"Diego is always in the action, he is a fantastic striker and is showing this."

The victory leaves Chelsea top of the table, one point clear of Liverpool and Manchester City.